Carpet-fastener.



O. E. -BILLINGS. GARPET I'ASTENER. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 31, 1908. 1

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

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CLARENCE E. BILLINGS,.OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

CARPET-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22, 1908.

Application filed March 31, 1908. Serial no. 424,366.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. BILLINGS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements n Carpet-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to carpet fasteners and particularly to stair carpet fasteners, and consists in the improvements set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings in which my device is illustrated. Figure l is a sectional view of my improved fastener in its simplest form applied to a stair carpet; Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views of modified constructions Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of the clamping plate alone; Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views of the setting lever and locking bar respectively; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a stair tread with the clamping plate on a smaller scale; Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive are end views of modified cross sectional forms of the filler rod.

The main object of the invention is to provide a readily applied invisible stair carpet fastener, which is eflicient as a carpet fastening device without the use of holding teeth, claws or similar fastening means injurious to the carpet.

I provide an angled clamping plate a, adapted to be secured by screws 1) in the angle between the tread A and riser B. The edges of this plate are bent over to form flanges f, 1, approaching each other, but leaving a space between the same, through which a fold of the carpet C is passed and secured by means of a locking bar 0. This bar 0 is readily applied by sli ping it in horizontally between the back of the carpet'and the upper flanges f, as indicated by dotted lines in ig. 2, and then turning. it up to a position parallel to the upper flange of the clamping plate (as shown by full lines in Fig. 2), by means of a small lever d, Fig. 5. The end of this lever may be inserted in a hole 6, in one end of the bar 0.

In order to facilitate the use of my device with varying thicknesses of carpet, the flanges f, f, of the clamping plate a are made of different widths, so that the late may be reversed in position so as to pl ace the longer or the shorter flange uppermost as may be necessary to accommodate the thickness of the carpet. For the same purpose different widths of the locking bar 0 may be employed.

While the device is thoroughly eflicient under proper conditions in the simple form just described, I find it advisable insome instances to provide an additional rod g, which is inserted inside the fold of the carpet embraced between the flanges of the clamping plate. When this is inserted it is absolutely impossible to pull the carpet free after the locking bar is set without distorting the flanges of the clamping plate. Where an ornamental rod between the riser and tread is desired, as for instance in club houses, hotels, etc., I may combine with this filler rod 9 an ornamental front piece t connected to the rod by the shank h. This ornamental front may be made in as many forms and shapes as desired. See for example Figs. 8 to 12.

The manner of using the fastener will be readily understood. As a preliminary step, the clamping plates are screwed in the angle between the tread and the riser for the fli ht of stairs to be carpeted, then beginning eit er at the top of the flight or at the bottom, the carpet is secured and brought up to the first angle, where a fold is inserted in the space between the flanges of the clamping plate. The locking bar a is then inserted as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and turned into the full-line position by means of the lever (Z. If the filler rod 9 is employed, this is inserted as shown in Fig. 3 before the locking bar is introduced. When once the locking bar is set, the carpet may be stretched for the next step and another fold inserted and secured in the same .way.

Various modifications may be made in the details of my construction without departing from my invention.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stair carpet fastener, comprising an angled clamping plate with flanges approaching each other, and means for fastening said plate to a step, in combination with a locking ar adapted to be inserted beneath a flange of said plate over an inserted fold of carpet.

2. A stair carpet fastener, comprising a clamping plate with flanges approaching each other, and means for fastening said plate to a step, in combination with a filler rod adapted to be inserted within a fold of carpet introduced between said clamping edges, and a locking bar adapted to be inserted beneath one of said flanges and over said fold.

3. A stair carpet fastener, comprising a clamping plate with flanges approaching each other, and means for fastening said plate to a step, in combination with a filler rod adapted to be inserted within a fold of carpet introduced between said clamping edges and provided with an ornamental front extending in front of the latter, and a locking bar adapted to be inserted beneath one of -said flanges to hold said fold in place.

4. A stair carpet fastener, comprising an angled clamping plate with flanges approaching each other, and means for fastening said plate to a step, in combination with a locking bar perforated to receive an operating lever and adapted to be inserted beneath a flange of said plate to secure an inserted fold of carpet.

5. A stair carpet fastener, comprising a reversible angled clamping plate having flanges of different widths approaching each other, and means in connection with either flange for securing the same in position, in combination with a locking bar adapted to be inserted beneath one of the flanges and over an inserted fold of carpet.

In testimony whereof I have signed. my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLARENCE E. BILLINGS.

Witnesses RAYMOND T. ALCOTT, CHAS. R. MAN ILLE. 

